Showing posts with label irelans football site. Show all posts
Showing posts with label irelans football site. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Given and McGeady will be fit says Tardelli


Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli has played down injury concerns surrounding Shay Given and Aiden McGeady.

The Manchester City keeper and Celtic winger received treatment at their clubs on Monday ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.

"I'm sure they will be available for the next training," said Tardelli.

Given has a shoulder problem while McGeady picked up a knock in Celtic's game against Dundee United on Sunday.

However, both players are expected to link up with the Republic squad on Tuesday.

Full-back Steve Finnan pulled out of the Irish squad last week because of a hamstring injury.

Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov will miss Saturday's World Cup qualifier because of an ankle injury.

The Manchester United forward sustained the injury during the 2-0 defeat by Fulham in the Premier League.

Ireland take on Group Eight leaders Italy in Bari four days after the Bulgaria game.

The Italians edge out Giovanni Trapattoni's team by goal difference with both teams locked on 10 points after four games.

The Football Association of Ireland are having to consider making new travel arrangements for the Republic squad's trip to Bari.

Airports in Ireland are expected to be affected by a nationwide strike on Monday - the day that the squad are scheduled to travel to Italy.

The possibility of travelling on Sunday or delaying the departure to Tuesday is being examined.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Berbatov out of Ireland v Bulgaria qualifier


Bulgaria captain Dimitar Berbatov will miss Bulgaria's Group 8 world cup qualifier against Ireland on the 28th of March after suffering an ankle knock. The injury came during Manchester United clash with Fulham on Saturday afternoon.

"Dimitar's got a good crack on his ankle. There's some swelling there. We'll have a look in the morning. Bulgaria will have to miss Dimitar Berbatov," Manchester United Assistant Manager Mike Phelan told the BBC.

The Bularian football team doctor has ruled out any chance of Berbatov joining the squad for the Ireland clash.

“In no way can this happen. The injury will stop him from playing football for at least two weeks. Most probably this is about his old ankle problems, which have aggravated despite the measures that have been taken,” Mihail Ilev told the Bulgarian National TV channel.

The Bulgarians' new manager, Stanimir Stoilov, is facing an uphill battle as he will also be without Manchester City winger Martin Petrov, who is still recovering from a surgery.

Stoilov is yet to announce Berbatov's replacement.

Bulgaria are third in Group Eight with three points from three matches. They will be desperate to avoid defeat in Dublin as a defeat would leave them 10 points behind Ireland, and make a massive dent in their hopes of reaching the finals in South Africa.

Bulgaria are up against Ireland on 28 March at Croke Park and Cyprus four days later.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Ireland squad announced for Bulgaria & Italy games












Giovanni Trapattoni has named 26 players in an initial squad for the forthcoming World Cup Group 8 qualifiers, of which 23 will be selected for the matches against Bulgaria on 28 March and Italy on 1 April.

The only addition to the party announced for last month's 2-1 win over Georgia is uncapped Celtic defender Darren O'Dea, who scored for his club in their CIS League Cup final victory over arch-rivals Rangers yesterday.


Speaking after he announced the squad, the Italian coach told reporters: 'So far in this group, Bulgaria have drawn all of their three World Cup qualifying matches. I have no doubt they will be invigorated by the appointment of their new manager, Stanimir Stoilov, and they will come to Croke Park looking for a win to kick-start their World Cup qualifying campaign.'

'Bulgaria have a strong tradition of football in their country with many well known players in their squad so we are under no illusion as to the task that awaits us on 28 March. This game represents a real opportunity to open a significant gap at the top of the table in Group 8.

For the next six months we will be playing away so strong support in this last home game until October will be vital. Every point gained will be valuable in the race to qualify for South Africa.'



Goalkeepers:

Shay Given, Dean Kiely, Kieren Westwood

Defenders:

Alex Bruce, Damien Delaney, John O'Shea, Kevin Foley, Paul McShane, Richard Dunne, Stephen Kelly, Stephen Finnan, Kevin Kilbane & Darren O'Dea.

Midfielders:

Aiden McGeady, Damien Duff, Darron Gibson, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Liam Miller, Stephen Hunt & Andy Keogh.

Forwards:

Caleb Folan, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane, Shane Long & Noel Hunt.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Zola keen to see Dixon perform


West Ham's young Irish striker Terry Dixon is close to making a full recovery from injury and is pushing for a first-team place.

The Ireland under 21 international striker has had a horrendous string of injuries which looked as though they were going to bring a premature halt to his career after Spurs allowed him to leave White Hart Lane after a string of knee problems.

West Ham took a gamble and after a trial period he was offered a three-year deal last month and now Gianfranco Zola is keen to see what he can do.

"Everybody keeps talking about Terry Dixon but I have not seen him play yet," Zola told the East London Press. "Hopefully soon he will be training with me so I will try to have an idea about him as a footballer.

"They told me he was quite a talent and I'm really curious. This is a good opportunity for him. I think this club has been very good to him and I want to see how he takes the opportunity.

"A big satisfaction would be to see him have some success because he was ruled out from the game."